What Can We Do About Fast Fashion?

Fast fashion: rapidly producing low quality inexpensive clothing for consumers, in response to the latest trends. It is a rising issue in our modern society with trends that come and go in the nick of time. Cheap and trendy clothing samples and unoriginal ideas only add to the waste piles taking up our land. This rapid process of production meets consumer demand, but does it meet the needs of survival for our future generation? 

In the 21st century, fashion trends rise in popularity quickly, with new patterns and styles that pop up in every retail store. Although the catalyst of social media platforms like TikTok bring forward new ideas, they are quick to get tossed aside once they have had their grand moment; TikTok promotes online clothing stores such as SHEIN and other brands that use fast fashion in unethical ways. A piece of clothing is supposed to have a purpose, not just to be produced for the sake of creating profits or left on clothing racks to be discarded once next month’s trend makes its way through. Whether it be low-waisted jeans, galaxy prints, or halter tops, the fashion industry churns out an obscene amount of clothing. Going up to as high as 150 billion garments produced each year, which has increased the amount of clothing we own from the year 2000 to 2014 up to 60%. Brands like Zara, Urban Outfitters, Topshop and H&M being huge contributors towards the issue of fashion. In 2021, we should already be noticing the social responsibility connected with fashion. The production of clothing is destroying the environment and soon, trying to keep up with the latest fashion trends will be the least of humanity’s concerns.

The consequence of fast fashion towards the environment is that even though consumers may be satisfied, the production of clothing accumulates 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions; this is done whilst throwing away unused garments that take 200+ years to decompose into landfills. In addition, untreated toxic wastewaters in rivers pollute waters which could be used as supply for agriculture or drinking water. The depletion of non-renewable resources and emission of greenhouse gases is steadily increasing atmospheric concentrations of heat being trapped, and pollution dangerously affecting our bodies and environment. Is a pretty piece of generically-glamorous garment more important than your life in the long term? Ignorance is a main cause of climate change, and it is only getting worse as fast fashion is disregarded by those who are only focusing on their short-term happiness of wearing a piece of clothing once or twice; and throwing it out into enormous landfills every single day.

An impactful way to eliminate fast fashion is to take conscious steps forwards toward sustainable fashion. A mantra to keep in mind is: everything, in moderation. Shop to fulfill your practical needs and to express your individuality, but only when necessary and with reason. 

Here’s what you can do to take that step further in consciously shopping with the environment in mind;

• Buy from thrift shops to find those special pieces that set you apart 

• Buy from online thrift shops on social media 

• Ask yourself if you’ll be able to create multiple outfits out of it

• Ask yourself: is it worth it? Am I going to wear it for a long period of time/in different climates?

• Shop consciously by being more critical of the way a brand operates